Motorsports veteran Katherine Legge is proving that no track, no series, and no challenge is off-limits. The British racer, who has carved out a career spanning IndyCar, sports cars, and open-wheel racing, is now setting her sights on NASCAR—starting with her ARCA Menards Series debut at Daytona on February 15.
At 43, Legge is embracing a bold new chapter in her racing career, stepping into the high-stakes world of stock car racing with Sigma Performance Services (SPS). But make no mistake—this is just the beginning. Legge’s ambitions go far beyond ARCA. She wants the Daytona 500. She wants the Coca-Cola 600. She wants more NASCAR. More IndyCar. More everything.
“I want to do all of the things,” Legge said on the Good Game podcast. “I want to do the Daytona 500. I want to do the Coca-Cola 600. I want to do more NASCAR. I want to do more IndyCar. I want to do more sports cars.”
And she’s not just here for the experience—she’s here to prove herself.
Legge’s NASCAR Journey: From Road Courses to the High Banks of Daytona
Legge is no stranger to stock cars, having made five starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series—mostly on road courses—but Daytona’s oval presents an entirely different challenge.
Her two-day test at Daytona last month was a massive success, with her team finishing inside the top 15 of 70 teams. The smooth execution of the test, the speed of her car, and the professionalism of her team left her in awe.
“Everything went so smoothly. I was like, ‘This never happens. What is going on? It’s like I’m living in an alternate universe.’”
But despite her enthusiasm, she knows earning a full-time NASCAR seat is a process. Unlike open-wheel racing, where top drivers can transition immediately, NASCAR requires a licensing process—something Legge is eager to complete.
“You can’t just show up and say, ‘I want to do the Daytona 500,’ because NASCAR will go, ‘You’re funny.’”
She pointed out how even established drivers like AJ Allmendinger and Danica Patrick had to work their way up in NASCAR, and she’s ready to do the same.
From Open-Wheel Star to NASCAR Contender
Legge’s racing résumé is already stacked with historic achievements:
🏁 First woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America (Toyota Atlantic, Long Beach 2005)
🏁 Fastest woman qualifier in Indy 500 history (2023)
🏁 Role model for women in motorsports for two decades
But it’s stock car racing that has her hooked.
“I love driving stock cars. I drove Xfinity a handful of times, and I wanted to get back to doing more.”
For her Daytona debut, NASCAR veteran Andy Lally played a key role, helping her with seat fitting, track strategy, and car setup. His guidance, combined with her team’s strong preparation, has Legge as confident as she is excited.
“I hope I’m good. And I hope I’m good enough that NASCAR will go, ‘OK, now you’re qualified to do the next and the next thing.’”
Could Legge Pull Off a NASCAR-INDYCAR Double?
Rumors have swirled that Legge could attempt the iconic Memorial Day Weekend double—racing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. It’s an ultimate test of endurance, attempted by only a handful of elite drivers.
She isn’t ruling it out, but she’s staying focused on the present.
“I think we’ve probably got to take it one step at a time.”
But if the opportunity arises?
“Wouldn’t that be cool? I think that would be cool. So, never say never.”
What’s Next for Legge?
Her ARCA debut at Daytona on February 15 is the first step in her NASCAR journey. A strong performance could open doors for:
✅ More NASCAR Xfinity races
✅ A possible Cup Series shot
✅ A full-time NASCAR opportunity
One thing is certain—Legge isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Whether it’s IndyCar, sports cars, or NASCAR, she’s embracing every opportunity that comes her way.
“It’s increasing my résumé, and who doesn’t want to do these cool things?”
With her experience, determination, and love for racing, don’t be surprised if Legge’s name becomes a permanent fixture in NASCAR sooner rather than later.